These students were taking part in the Lifesmarts New York State Finals Competition in Albany. These students are Cory Clugston, Amber Baker, Michael Jamieson, Mary Graff, Charles Schutt, Megan Morris and coach Fred Pieri

Army 1st Lt. Robert Ortt accepts thanks and well wishes from Sen. George D. Maziarz Wednesday night at the Stephen Sikora American Legion Post in North Tonawanda. Ortt, the city of North Tonawanda's treasurer, is an officer in the National Guard who was deployed to Afghanistan in January. Wednesday, the North Tonawanda community and a number of local and county leaders welcomed Ortt, who is on two weeks' leave from the war-torn region, home. They also listened to a detailed address on conditions in Afghanistan.